HUYE- Over Rwf7.2billion is the total budget for Huye District for the year 2010/2011, the district Executive Secretary has revealed. This is a marked increase from last year’s budget which stood at around Rwf5billion.

Presenting the budget before officials from the public, private and civil society organisations on Wednesday, Vedaste Nshimyimana, said that budget will be financed through block grants and earmarked grants from the central government and district revenues.

More financing is expected from government projects, donor grants and other agency transfers. The biggest chunk of the budget is planned for development activities which accounts for 48 percent of the total budget while wages and salaries account for 35 percent which is about Rwf2.5 billion.

The district plans to generate over Rwf500 million from its own revenues, which account for 8 percent of the total budget. According to Nshimyimana contrary to the past, the biggest chunk of this money will fund development activities.

"In the past, most of our revenue was spent on payment of salaries, but this financial year, almost all of the salaries will be paid by the central government,” said Nshimyimana.

The district intends to invest over Rwf200 million in the Maraba coffee intensification project, a Rwf7billion project that is being undertaken by the two districts of Huye and Nyamagabe.

Through the project, the two districts plan to facilitate coffee farming over a large stretch of land. The soils in the two districts have been found appropriate for the growing of high quality coffee.

Other projects that will be undertaken include; constructions of roads in the Taba upscale residential area and the refurbishment of Huye stadium.

Elie Nizeyimana, the head of the economic commission in the district’s advisory council, called for a balance between the budget and priority activities in the district. budgeting process.

The executive secretary revealed that a number of projects still remain pending in the district’s development plan because of lack of funding. These include; building of a district genocide memorial site, repair of roads in Butare town and a town master plan.

Others include; public lighting system in Butare town and the difficulty engaging employees due to budgetary constraints.

Ends